New data on the regularities of the earthquake manifestation in the Baikal Seismic Zone and their forecast

Doklady Earth Sciences -     

Tectonic stress field in the epicentral zone of the Latur earthquake of 1993

In situ stress measurements by hydraulic fracturing were carried out in the 617 m deep borehole specially drilled in the epicentral zone of the 1993 Latur earthquake for the purpose of research. The stress measurements carried out at 592 m depth in this borehole are the deepest of all such measurements made so far in the Indian shield. The maximum and minimum principal horizontal stresses (S _H max andS _h min) have been derived from the hydrofracture data using the classical method. TheS _{H max} andS _h min are found to be 16.5 and 9.6 MPa at 373 m depth, and 25.0 and 14.1 MPa at 592 m depth, indicating that the vertical gradients ofS _hmax andS _hmin in the epicentral zone are 39 MPa/km and 21 MPa/km respectively. The principal horizontal stresses in the epicentral zone are comparable with those at Hyderabad and 30% higher than in most other comparable intra-continental regions. Analysis of the results indicate that the stresses in the focal region of the 1993 Latur earthquake have not undergone any significant change following its occurrence and this is in agreement with a similar inference drawn from the seismic data analysis. It appears that the Latur earthquake was caused due to rupturing of the overpressured fault segment at the base of the seismogenic zone.     

Co-seismic ruptures and deformations recorded by speleothems in the epicentral zone of the Basel earthquake

The study of growth anomalies of speleothems in a karstic environment can provide potential evidence for palaeoearthquakes. These data are used to study the recurrence times of major earthquakes in areas where evidence for historic seismicity is lacking. A study has been carried out in the epicentral area of the 1356 Basel earthquake (epicentral intensity = VII–VIII, macroseismic magnitude = 6.2). The Bättlerloch and Dieboldslöchli caves, situated in the area of greatest damage, show growth anomalies of speleothems possibly related to a seismic event (several breaks of speleothems and offsets of the axis of the regrowths). The first U/Th disequilibrum measurements by alpha spectrometry show recent ages (less than several tens of thousands of years and probably historic). ¹⁴C dating by AMS of carbonate laminations taken on both sides of the anomalies confirm the evidence of a seismic event around 1300 AD. More accurate darings by U/Th TIMS are carried out in order to compare the information provided by the two different dating methods.     

Seismicity and earthquake focal mechanisms in the Baikal rift zone

The seismicity of the Baikal rift zone is considered on the basis of instrumental and field observations. The spatial pattern of epicentres, the frequency of earthquakes and the relations between seismicity and the elements of fault tectonics are analyzed. The regional and local stress states in the crust of the Pribaikalye region, obtained from studying earthquake focal mechanisms for various energies are summarized.     

Co-seismic ruptures and deformations recorded by speleothems in the epicentral zone of the Basel earthquake

Abstract

The study of growth anomalies of speleothems in a karstic environment can provide potential evidence or palaeoearthquakes. These data are used to study the recurrence times of major earthquakes in areas where evidence for historic seismicity is lacking. A study has been carried out in the epicentral area of the 1356 Basel earthquake (epicentral intensity = VII-VIII, macroseismic magnitude = 6.2). The Bättlerloch and Dieboldslöchli caves, situated in the area of greatest damage, show growth anomalies of speleothems possibly related to a seismic event (several breaks of speleothems an offsets of the axis of the regrowths). The first U/Th disequilibrum measurements by alpha spectrometry show recent ages (less than several tens of thousands of years and pro a y historic). ¹⁴C dating by AMS of carbonate laminations taken on both sides of the anomalies confirm the evidence of a seismic event around 1300 AD. More accurate datings by U/Th TIMS are carried out in order to compare the information provided by the two different dating methods. © Elsevier, Paris     

中西非裂谷盆地白垩系两类优质烃源岩发育模式

中西非裂谷系位于非洲中部,主要为沿中非剪切断裂带分布的被动裂谷盆地,进一步划分为中非裂谷系和西非裂谷系。针对国内外对勘探程度极低的中西非裂谷盆地白垩系优质烃源岩展布、发育机理及油气成藏模式认识薄弱的现状,笔者在开展大量中西非裂谷盆地上、下白垩统两类烃源岩样品的主微量元素等地球化学分析的基础上,从含油气盆地构造、烃源岩发育古环境、古气候、古生产力和有机质保存条件等分析出发,剖析了不同类型含油气盆地优质烃源岩发育主控因素,分别建立了中、西非裂谷系低勘探程度含油气盆地下白垩统、上白垩统优质烃源岩的发育模式:中非裂谷盆地(Bongor、Muglad、Melut盆地)下白垩统裂陷期快速沉降、温暖湿润气候条件下,勃发的水生有机质(藻类)控制的深水湖相优质烃源岩"生产力"单因素发育模式;西非裂谷盆地(Termit盆地)上白垩统拗陷期海侵、炎热潮湿气候条件下,陆源有机质输入为主,优越的保存条件(偏咸水体)优质海相烃源岩"生产力+保存条件"双因素控制的发育模式。从而进一步锁定富油气凹陷和主力成藏组合,有效指导含油气盆地内选区选带,助推油气规模储量发现。     

Fault structures and their geoelectric parameters in the epicentral zone of the 27 September 2003 Chuya earthquake (Gorny Altai) from resistivity data

This paper presents an integrated measurement technique based on DC methods (vertical electrical sounding, electrical resistivity tomography) which was used to identify faults and determine their geoelectric parameters in the western part of the Chuya basin. New information on the structure of the Chagan River valley located in the zone of the disastrous 27 September 2003 Chuya earthquake has been obtained from the results of these methods. Geoelectric cross-sections of the sedimentary sequence and the upper part of the basement were obtained from VES data, showing the block structure of the study area. Electrical resistivity tomography sections confirm the presence of a major fault between basement blocks of different heights and indicate the presence of faults bounding the valley on its right side and in the southwestern part.     

A tectonophysical model of the Baikal seismic zone: testing and implications for medium-term earthquake prediction

The first tectonophysical model of the Baikal seismic zone represents a separate complex region of the lithosphere. It has a pinnate structure with a backbone belt of current deformation, which is a concentrator of largest earthquakes, and branching, repeatedly reactivated large and small faults. In its vertical section, the seismic zone is tree-like, the stem and the branches being faults of different size ranks which can generate earthquakes when reactivated. The real-time short-period fault motions and the respective seismicity occurring at a certain time and in certain places are triggered by strain waves, which disturb the metastable state of the faulted lithosphere subject to regional stress. The modeling work includes developing general requirements for tectonophysical models of continental rifts and special methods for identifying the faults that become active within short historic time spans, as well as techniques for locating potential events in space and time in specific active faults. The methods and model testing for medium-term earthquake prediction are described by the example of the well-documented Baikal seismic zone, which is the most active part of the Baikal rift system. The tectonophysical model for the Baikal zone is statistically supported by field data, and this allows estimating the velocities and periods of strain waves for different zone segments and faults, with implications for nearest-future earthquake prediction.     

New data on seismic wave attenuation in the lithosphere and upper mantle of the northeastern flank of the Baikal rift system

The investigation data on seismic wave attenuation in the lithosphere and upper mantle of the northeastern flank of the Baikal rift system obtained with a seismic coda envelope and sliding window are considered. Eleven local districts were described by one-dimensional attenuation models characterized by alternation of high and low attenuation layers, which are consistent with the results obtained previously by Yu.F. Kopnichev for the southwestern flank of the Baikal rift system [9]. The subcrust of the lithosphere contains a thin layer with high attenuation of seismic waves likely related to higher heterogeneity (fragmentation) and occurrence of fluids. The lithosphere basement depth varies from 100–120 km in the west within the Baikal folded area to 120–140 km in the east within the Siberian Platform. It is concluded that there are two asthenosphere layers. Based on specific features of the lithosphere and upper mantle structure, it can be assumed that they were subject to gradual modification involving fluidization processes and partial melting in the Late Cenozoic extension under the influence of distant tectogenesis sources.     

Seismic investigation of crust-mantle transition in continental rift systems - Jordan-Dead Sea rift and Rhinegraben

The recent acquisition of high-quality seismic refraction data in the Jordan—Dead Sea rift and adjacent areas has made possible the investigation of the dynamic properties of seismic P-waves refracted and reflected at the crust—upper mantle boundary.

These waves cause high-amplitude arrivals near the outer cusp of the travel-time curve which are followed by an abrupt decrease in amplitudes at increasing distances beyond the cusp.

It has been shown that such amplitude distributions can only be the result of a smooth rapid increase of velocity with depth. In the case of the Jordan—Dead Sea rift the amplitude distribution indicates the presence of a transition zone between the lower crust and upper mantle in which the velocity increases smoothly. The interpretation of seismic refraction data in the Rhinegraben indicates the existence of a similar transition zone. In both rifts the crust—mantle boundary outside the rift is represented by sharp velocity discontinuity.

The comparison of the velocity structure of the crust—upper mantle boundary suggests that a smooth transition zone at the base of the lower crust is a characteristic property of continental rifts which could be interpreted in terms of crust—mantle interaction.     

Interpretation of intensity attenuation relation of 1905 Kangra earthquake with epicentral distance and magnitude in the Northwest Himalayan region

Seismic intensity information of historical earthquake of NW Himalayas has been utilized for evaluating the attenuation of the intensity with the epicentral distance. Purposefully, the observed intensity of big historical earthquake may implicitly incorporate some site effects arising due to the near surface geology or deposited soil. The isoseismal map of the 1905 Kangra earthquake yields an area of perceptibility defined by the intensity VII (RF Scale), which is mainly elongated in the NNW-SSE direction. However, the higher isoseismals of intensity VIII and IX are more symmetrical and elongated in the SE direction. These isoseismals are more compressed in the northeast and northwest direction indicating fast attenuation characteristics, which may be either due to the presence of any transverse geotectonic feature or change in lithology. In the present study the regression relation has been derived to incorporate the attenuation of intensity with variable magnitudes at different epicentral distances. The derived attenuation relation is useful for assessing damage of a potential future earthquake (earthquake scenario-based planning purposes) for the Kangra region, Northwest Himalaya. The derived relation is mentioned below:

东亚与全球地震分布分析

现代地震学是一门年轻的学科,但人类对地震现象的观察、记录和思索已有数千年历史。特别是在中国,很早就有灾害性地震的详细历史记载。最近40多年,我国、东亚及世界其他大陆地区的多次大地震的发生,推动了地震构造研究的发展,加深了对地震分布规律性及其地球动力环境的认识。从地质背景和发生机制看,全球地震构造可分为三大类:第一是太平洋海底地壳与陆缘地壳浅、中、深俯冲构成的地震带;第二是南半球离散地壳块体对北半球大地块边缘碰撞浅俯冲带;第三是全球三大洋脊张裂转换构造带。地球北半部内陆的中纬度地带有4个多震密布区,它们都处于N25°～55°的纬向大陆带内,与大陆会聚所造成的陆内变形有关。4个多震密布区的东半部则是相对少震区,显示出相对稳定的地壳结构。全球表壳GPS矢量场和北南两个极区各有不同,北半球欧亚大陆是向北呈弓字形运动;南半球是南美、非洲、阿拉伯、印度、澳大利亚等5块离散的大陆块,除南美大陆,其他4块大陆都是向NE和NNE方向运动。这4块大陆都是依次运动加速,澳大利亚陆块运动最快,向NNE方向约10 cm/a;同时从南太平洋南部沿NWW方向左型转换断层的运动也是高速的,这两个方向运动的交叉相碰,现已处在全球最为强烈的地震活动区域。北冰洋内群岛GPS站点向阿留申岛弧推进;南极冰陆的9个GPS站点则呈现旋扭状彼此相差约90°,可能表明北/南半球彼此有明显的1/4左右表壳的扭动。从卫星重力数据推测的地球的形状、全球热流的和地内热散失量的分布、地球磁场的西漂以及大地震引起的地球振荡特征等证据推测,地球的内部结构具有一定程度的非对称性和非均匀性,它们对全球板块运动、板块变形以及大地震的空间分布可能有一定的控制作用。     

New data on the „Indosinian“ Orogeny from Central Thailand

The main aspects of the geosynclinal and orogenic evolution of the Petchabun foldbelt in Central Thailand are described. This area was previously thought to be deformed by the Indosinian (Triassic) orogeny. The new data show that the main orogenic event in Thailand can be dated: Post Lower Permian — Pre Uppermost Permian. Evidence is given that Paleotethys closed on Thai territory during this orogenic event. The known Upper Triassic deformations in Northern Thailand are supposed to be strictly intracontinental and therefore of minor importance.

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Zusammenfassung Die Grundzüge der geosynklinalen und orogenen Entwicklung des Faltengürtels von Petchabun werden beschrieben. Bisher wurde angenommen, daß dieses Gebiet während der Indosinischen Orogenese (Trias) deformiert wurde. Die neuen Daten belegen, daß die bedeutendste Orogenese in Thailand nach dem Unter Perm einsetzte (West-Thailand) und vor dem höchsten Perm abgeschlossen war (Petchabun). Die sog. Paleotethys wurde während dieser Orogenese hier geschlossen. Die bekannten obertriadischen Deformationen sind dagegen rein intrakontinental und somit von untergeordneter Bedeutung.

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Résumé Les traits principaux du développement géosynclinal et orogénique de la ceinture plissée du Petchabun (Thailande) sont décrits. Jusqu'à présent on pensait que cette région avait été déformée pendant l'orogenèse «Indosinienne» (Trias). Les données nouvelles indiquent que l'orogenèse la plus importante a commencée après le Permien inférieur (dans l'Ouest de la Thailande) et qu'elle s'est terminée avant le Permien supérieur (région de Petchabun). Ici, la soi-disant «Paléotéthys» s'est fermée au cours de cette orogenèse. Les déformations bien connues du Trias supérieur sont exclusivement intracontinentales et n'ont ainsi qu'une signification subordonnée.

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Petchabun. , (). , ( ) (Petchabun). . . .

     

New data on distribution of indium in ore deposits of Central Kazakhstan

Iron, tin, tungsten, copper, and polymetallic deposits are examined and the paper investigates the mineral distribution of indium in mineral deposits in central Kazakhstan. Indium is a relatively rare element; of the 18 formations examined only five revealed high concentrations of indium. Economic accumulations were discovered only in Early and Late Variscan skarnitic formations with lead-zinc, copper, and bismuth mineralizations. Among the hypogene minerals, indium was found in sulfides, and silicates. Among supergene minerals indium was found only in oxides, carbonates, and silicates. Sphalerites are the principal collector of indium. No connection between the enrichment in indium and the typomorphic peculiarities of different varieties of sphalerites could be established. In mineral deposits with higher indium concentration, a paragenetic connection of this element with tin is noticeable. Regular enrichment of sphalerites in indium would admit as most probable an isomorphous replacement of zinc and bivalent iron by indium. — A.W. Bellais